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Health Be Aware ofthe Danger in Vaping
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Its effects after inhalation.
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BE AWARE OF THE DANGER IN VAPING DR. DILCIA GRANVILLE, PHD. PRESIDENT DIP AND SEE, LLC
E-CIGARETTES ARE DEVICES THAT DELIVER AN AEROSOL TO THE USER BY HEATING A LIQUID THAT USUALLY CONTAINS NICOTINE, FLAVORINGS, AND OTHER CHEMICALS.
Vaping has become the latest trend among youth and has turned into the preferred vector for nicotine delivery among teens. The e-cigarette is the primary instrument used to heat liquid into vapor, which is inhaled. Recent research by the National Institute of Health shows an alarming increase in vaping among teens https://newsinhealth.nih. gov/2019/02/vaping-risesamong-teen
A recent reported epidemic of lung injuries and recent deaths, including a patient in Minnesota, hospitalized for vaping-related lung illness, reveal that many dangerous substances used in vaping could be lethal, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html
The Federal government including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and local public health agencies are working with this vaping outbreak and are investigating the deaths of individuals, as well as the high incidence of lung injuries associated with deleterious substances reported to be found in vaping products. • According to the CDC, more than 450 potential or confirmed cases of severe lung injury have been reported in 33 States. CDC indicates that many of these cases reported using cannabinoid products, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). As of September 6, 2019, over 450 possible cases of lung illness associated with the use of e-cigarette products have been reported to CDC from the following 33 states and 1 U.S. territory: AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MN, MT, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV, and the U.S. Virgin Islands). The FDA reported that even though they did not have enough data at this point to conclude that Vitamin E acetate is the cause of the lung injury in these cases, the agency believes it was prudent to avoid inhaling this substance. Because consumers cannot be sure whether any THC vaping products may contain Vitamin E acetate, consumers are urged to avoid buying vaping products on the street, and to refrain from using THC oil or modifying/adding any substances to products purchased in stores. Additionally, no youth should be using any vaping product, regardless of the substance.
• Five deaths have been confirmed in California, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, and Oregon.
In particular, many of the samples tested by the States or by the FDA as part of this ongoing investigation have been identified as vaping products containing THC, a psychoactive component of the marijuana plant, and further, most of those samples with THC tested also contained significant amounts of Vitamin E acetate. Vitamin E acetate is a substance present in topical consumer products or dietary supplements, but data are limited about its effects after inhalation. At least one of the associated deaths that has been publicly related
CDC, several states, and federal partners are investigating a multistate outbreak of severe pulmonary disease associated with using e-cigarette products.
Youth, young adults and women who are pregnant should not use e-cigarette products.
to illicit THC vaping by the Minnesota Health Department, Minnesota health officials have confirmed the first death in the state associated with an outbreak of serious lung injuries related to vaping. The Minnesota patient was over 65 years old and died in August after a long and complicated hospital stay. In many cases of illness reported by the States, patients have acknowledged recent use of THC-containing vaping products while speaking to healthcare personnel, or in follow-up interviews by health department staff. To date, Minnesota has 17 patients who have been classified as confirmed or probable cases. An additional 15 potential cases are under investigation. Patients have been hospitalized for days to weeks, including many who were in the intensive care unit. Of those cases who have been interviewed, all reported vaping illicit THC products. Many also reported vaping other products including those that contain nicotine.
Meanwhile, people should avoid vaping illicit THC products, as the available evidence shows many of the injury cases had exposure to such products. Also, people with a history of vaping who are experiencing lung injury symptoms should seek medical care. People experiencing symptoms should avoid using e-cigarettes and other vaping products. Some of symptoms reported among cases included shortness of breath, fever, cough, and vomiting and diarrhea. Other symptoms reported by some patients included headache, dizziness and chest pain.
However, in the interim, the public health agencies encourage people to help protect themselves and avoid buying vaping products of any kind on the street, and to refrain from using THC oil or modifying/ adding any substances to products purchased in stores. If you continue to use these THC-containing vaping products, monitor yourself for symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath, chest pain) and promptly seek medical attention if you have concerns about your health. If you are concerned about your health after using a vaping product, contact your health care provider, or you can also call your local poison control center at 1-800- 222-1222. Health care providers also can contact their local poison control center.
DR. DILCIA GRANVILLE is the President of Dip and See, LLC. She recently retired, after almost 30 years of public service with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)/ORA/OCPM Office of Communication at the New York District Office.
CDC and the FDA encourage the public to submit detailed reports of any unexpected tobacco or e-cigarette-related health or or product issues to the FDA via the online Safety Reporting Portal: https://www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov/SRP2/en/Home.aspx
